Paw Prints
Fri, 03/18/2022 - 10:56am
Trish Lannon, Principal
LaRae Guide, Assistant Principal
March 18, 2022
DATES TO REMEMBER:
March 23 PTA Meeting in the Media Center 6pm
March 24 Virtual Parent Chat & Chew @ 5:30pm meet.google.com/zgc-bheo-shm
March 25 School Spirit Day: Maryland Day - show your MD pride!
March 29-31 Dental Clinic
April 1 End of Q3 - Schools Close 3-Hours Early
April 4 Always Reading Program Kickoff
April 4 School Spirit Day - Wear Rainbows for National Rainbow Day
April 8 Report Cards Available on HCPSS Connect
Guilford Family and Friends,
We have been super excited to have our first week with our two new playgrounds. It has been a welcomed addition to our outdoor recess. Please help us take care of them if you use them after school or on the weekends. They are not only new, but very expensive and we want to make sure they last us a very long time.
Each year, when we move into the Spring months, we typically see a rise in student behavioral concerns. We are asking that you help to support the work we are doing here at school by encouraging your children to make good decisions, keep their hands to themselves, to not involve themselves in gossip, and remember that if they have nothing nice to say, then don’t say anything. We will be doing additional SEL lessons around these topics and working on our ROAR rules. We thank you for your support with this.
As many of you know, our carloop this year has been way busier and longer than it has been in years past. We really want to encourage all students who can ride the bus to do so. This will help our students get to school on time (classes start at 9:25am sharp) and lessen the traffic issues we are having. Please consider having your child ride the bus. Thanks.
As always, we have an open door here at GES. Please feel free to call or email me at anytime if you have any questions or concerns.
~Mrs. Lannon, Principal
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Dental Clinic at Guilford ES
The in-school dentist is coming to Guilford Elementary on March 29th, 30th, and 31st. Please return your permission forms as soon as possible.
You can also sign your student up online at www.MySchoolDentist.com
Related Arts Color Day Rotation Survey
HCPSS is seeking feedback on the elementary related arts color rotation schedule. The color rotation schedule was implemented to mitigate loss of instructional time due to school closures for related arts classes scheduled on Mondays and Fridays, sometimes up to nine classes per school year. This feedback will be utilized in conjunction with additional stakeholder input to determine the 22-23 related arts schedule model. Thank you for your time in completing this feedback form by March 25, 2022.
https://forms.gle/qz2JZGtophiXPT7h8
Tentative Last Day of School
As of Wednesday, March 16, 2022, HCPSS has used four inclement weather days this school year and made up one of those days by opening schools February 21. As such, the last day for pre-K/RECC students is currently Tuesday, June 14, and for K-12 students is Friday, June 17, 2022. Full details on the calendar are available online.
Bullying/Anti-Bullying Presentation
Thank you to everyone who attended our virtual parent night about bullying. You can see the presentation yourself by going to: Bullying- Parent Presentation Draft.pptx
Communication Devices (Cell Phones & Smart Watches)
We have a high number of students that have personal communication devices and it is important to note that if your child brings one of these devices to school, that they are to be turned off and kept in a backpack while on school property. There have been instances where these devices have been lost or damaged, and we cannot replace or repair them. We have also had increasing issues with students using the devices during class, lunch and recess. We also ask that parents not encourage this by texting your children during the school day.
Additionally, we have had children expressing concern with the things that are stated within apps towards one another. It is so easy for students to forget the impact that their words can have on another, especially when they can say them being a screen. It is important to remember that such instances can warrant disciplinary actions under policy 1060. Many students are on social media apps that are meant for adults and they are viewing and participating in things that are not appropriate.
Lastly, there has been an increase in TikTok challenges where students are encouraged to participate in unkind and unhealthy actions. Recently, we have experienced challenges of creating very unsanitary conditions in the restroom and clogging the toilets. Both of these actions result in the restroom being closed while custodians have to clean or fix issues. Please encourage your children to not participate in such challenges and they are unhealthy and disrupt the learning for all.
Guilford Recess Volunteers
We would love to have parent/guardian volunteers help monitor and lead our students in games and activities during recess. This is a fun and flexible way to get involved in our school. You may choose how long, how often, and which grades you wish to help out. Please note that committing to a regular schedule is encouraged (for example, every Monday, or the first Wednesday of every month all year long, etc.). We would like to start this the week of February 1st.
Recess Schedule:
3rd Grade 10:40-11:10
1st Grade 11:10-11:40
Kindergarten 11:40-12:10
5th Grade 12:10-12:40
4th Grade 12:40-1:10
2nd Grade 1:10-1:40
If you would like to volunteer your time to help at recess, please fill out and submit the google form below, and we will be in contact with you soon.
Guilford Recess Volunteers (google.com)
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Sarah Kane, our Family Liaison at sarah_kane@hcpss.org 410-880-5930
Kindergarten & PreK Virtual Registration Information
Parents/guardians of children who will be 5 years old as of September 1, 2022, must enroll their children in kindergarten for the 2022-2023 school year.
Prekindergarten at Guilford ES for the 22/23 school year will be a full-day program. Students must be 4 years old by September 1, 2022, to be considered for enrollment in fall 2022. See specifics on the program by going HERE. More information about registration will be coming soon.
Parents/guardians without access to a computer will be able to contact the front office for assistance in completing the registration form.
Gather Documentation Ahead of Time
Having all your documentation prepared in advance of registration will keep the process moving quickly. If you are missing documentation, your registration will be denied.
Student Identification Documentation
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Student’s evidence of birth (birth certificate, passport/visa, physician’s certificate, baptismal or church certification, hospital certificate, parent/s affidavit or birth registration.)
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Proof of parental relationship, custody, or guardianship. If applicable, bring legal proof of custody (court order).
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Any additional paperwork that may be necessary due to special living arrangements or circumstances.
Academic Documentation
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Student’s most recent grade report, transcript, report card from last school attended at time of withdrawal.
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Documentation of Special Education (IEP), 504, Psychological Report, or related services.
Parent Identification Documentation
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Parent picture ID: driver’s license, passport, MVA identification or other legal form of photographic identification.
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Signed original, current complete lease or complete deed with your address, valid dates, signatures.
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Current utility bill with name and address (non-cellular telephone, gas and electric, cable bill issued in the last 45 days.)
Health Documentation
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Student’s current proof of immunizations signed by physician. Learn more about the immunizations required for enrollment →
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Students who have never attended a Howard County public school have certain health documents to submit with their enrollment paperwork. Learn more about these forms and find additional forms for diabetic students, students with allergies, and student medications.
HCPSS Health Mitigation Efforts
HCPSS sent a message to the community with several updates related to health mitigation efforts in place in HCPSS schools. Please take a few minutes to review the following information that HCPSS shared. Again, your efforts to keep our staff and students healthy is appreciated!
Parent Resources
Here is a resource for parents who may be concerned about the overuse of technology by kids:
This link for parents covers many topics, including child development, positive discipline, school readiness, and finding resources.
https://www.howardcountymd.gov/familyinstitute
Close Adult Support for Special Needs Students
We are in need of 3 adults to hire for this position. For the close adult support position, you would apply through an outside agency that staffs these positions in our schools. The position is for 6-hours each day, Monday-Friday and we currently need to hire 2 people. We also frequently need subs for this role, as well. Click here to learn more and apply.
Guilford Elementary School PTA
Stay connected with our amazing PTA by joining their Facebook page. You can join by clicking on THIS LINK. You can also follow them on their website HERE. One of the most important things the PTA does for Guilford ES, is to support our students with fun events, assemblies and activities. In order to do this, they need you to join the PTA! You can join by going HERE.
COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS
In response to community requests for resources, HCPSS’ new Community News and Programs website makes it easy for families to find educational and recreational resources, events and after-school programs beyond the school day by non-profit organizations.
Community organizations requesting their announcements be shared in school newsletters should visit community-programs.hcpss.org for more information. Questions should be directed to the Public Information Office at publicinfo@hcpss.org.
TITLE 1 INFORMATION
Guilford Elementary School is a Title I School-wide Program school. Title I is a federally funded program designed to close achievement gaps and ensure all children have an opportunity to access a high-quality education by providing funding for supplemental academic services and supports.
A Family-School Compact & Plan is an agreement between families, students, and teachers that is jointly developed and distributed to all families. It explains how families, students, and teachers will work as a team to make sure all students meet with success and get the support they need to achieve grade level goals.
The Guilford Elementary School Family School Compact and Calendar of Events can be found here http://ges.hcpss.org/sites/default/files/ges-title-I-compact-calendar.pdf for English; http://ges.hcpss.org/sites/default/files/ges-title-I-compact-calendar-spa.pdf for Spanish and on the Guilford Elementary School Title I can be found here http://ges.hcpss.org/about/title-i-program.
If you have any questions, please ask your child’s teacher at your upcoming parent teacher conference. If you have any input or feedback, please contact Donna Bethune Brown at donna_bethune-brown@hcpss.org.
